An image from a video shows a man throwing baby formula at a Chinese national on the street in the Netherlands. (Photo/thepaper.cn)
Web users in the Netherlands have expressed their anger and criticism over a video, which allegedly shows two local young men throwing baby formula at Chinese nationals.
The two men, Romme Terbeek and Kenzo Hanter, are shown preparing seven bottles of baby formula before carrying out their street attack, according to reports in The Paper, a major Chinese online news portal.
In the three-and-a-half minute video, the men carry out three separate attacks. In two of the encounters, the attackers first ask the Chinese pedestrians whether they need baby formula and if they said no, they were attacked.
The Paper suggested the incidents may be related to anger among some local people over a shopping spree by Chinese people for Dutch formula.
An internet user named Dila Can described the attacks as stupid behavior, saying they were wasting baby formula as many mothers could not even buy it.
A web user named Pasanea Zs said the attackers were rude, while the Chinese victims showed courtesy because they didn't shout or swear after their ordeal.
One anonymous Chinese person said online that the Chinese community in the country should stand closer to safeguard its security and interests. The person also called on the local authorities to intervene to prevent any repeat of the incident.
Dutch radio RNW reported that some shops in parts of the Netherlands had imposed shopping restrictions on baby formula due to the massive purchases being made by Chinese consumers. The shops reportedly said the move was aimed at ensuring the needs of local residents were met.
The Netherlands, along with Ireland, Denmark and New Zealand, are favorite destinations for shoppers from China seeking to buy baby formula, according to a report by USA Today.
